U.S. patent number 5,938,921 [Application Number 08/887,775] was granted by the patent office on 1999-08-17 for water baffle for filter cartridge.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Stanadyne Automotive Corp.. Invention is credited to Leon P. Janik, Michael J. Williams.
United States Patent |
5,938,921 |
Janik , et al. |
August 17, 1999 |
Water baffle for filter cartridge
Abstract
An improved fuel filter cartridge can be used with a header of a
conventional fuel filter assembly. The cartridge has a water
coalescing sock filter enclosed within a housing and a generally
conically shaped water separating baffle with a spiralling rim and
an outer barrier at the lower periphery of the baffle. As water
droplets coalesce and fall off the bottom end of the sock filter,
they are intercepted by the water baffle and coalesce on the
radially inward side of the downwardly spiralling rim and the
radially inward side of the outer barrier. As the water droplets
spiral outwardly toward the outer barrier, they agglomerate. The
water, thus separated and routed away from the fuel stream, exits
the water baffle at an outlet of the outer barrier and falls to the
bottom of the filter cartridge under the influence of gravity. In
some embodiments of the filter cartridge, the conical water baffle
can have one or more vents disposed along the radially outward edge
of the spiralling rim in order to allow greater effective water
depth within the cartridge.
Inventors: |
Janik; Leon P. (Suffield,
CT), Williams; Michael J. (Glastonbury, CT) |
Assignee: |
Stanadyne Automotive Corp.
(Windsor, CT)
|
Family
ID: |
25391833 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/887,775 |
Filed: |
July 30, 1997 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/304; 210/307;
210/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D
29/27 (20130101); B01D 36/003 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B01D
29/27 (20060101); B01D 29/13 (20060101); B01D
36/00 (20060101); B01D 043/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;210/304,307,320,DIG.6,DIG.5 ;55/331,413,447,456,457,463,464 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reifsnyder; David A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Alix, Yale & Ristas, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A filter cartridge for removing particulate matter and water
from fuel passing therethrough, said cartridge adapted for use with
a header of the type capable of supplying fuel to said filter
cartridge and receiving therefrom fuel filtered by said filter
cartridge when said cartridge is mounted to said header in an
installed position, said cartridge comprising:
a housing having at least one opening for permitting the exchange
of fuel between the header and said cartridge and a seal which
sealingly engages the header when said cartridge is mounted on the
header in said installed position;
at least one filter element enclosed in said housing, said filter
element intercepting fuel entering said cartridge in said installed
position such that particulate matter and water are removed from
the fuel passing therethrough and such that the water removed from
the fuel coalesces into water droplets which fall from said fuel
filter element under the influence of gravity; and
a generally conical water separating baffle disposed within said
housing below said filter element when said cartridge is in said
installed position such that water droplets falling from said
filter element are intercepted by said baffle, said baffle having a
radially outer barrier disposed substantially entirely about the
periphery of said conical baffle whereby water droplets intercepted
by said baffle accumulate at the radially inward edge of said
barrier, said barrier defining at least one outlet through which
water droplets accumulated at the radially inward edge of said
barrier can exit said baffle and fall downwardly under the
influence of gravity.
2. The filter cartridge of claim 1, wherein said baffle further
comprises a generally conical body having a convex top surface and
a rim disposed on said top surface, said rim spiralling downwardly
and radially outwardly when said cartridge is in said installed
position.
3. The filter cartridge of claim 2, wherein said body defines at
least one vent extending therethrough along the radially outward
edge of said rim and wherein said rim further comprises at least
one roof portion located above said vent to prevent fuel and water
droplets from passing directly through said vent.
4. The filter cartridge of claim 2, wherein said rim traverses at
least approximately 540 degrees along the length thereof, and
wherein said rim terminates at a point which is radially aligned
with said outlet port.
5. The filter cartridge of claim 2, wherein said barrier defines a
plurality of outlet ports.
6. The filter cartridge of claim 2, wherein said baffle is
coaxially disposed about an axis and wherein said top surface of
said baffle defines an angle of inclination of approximately
60.degree. relative to said axis.
7. A filter cartridge for removing particulate matter and water
from raw fuel passing therethrough, said cartridge comprising:
a housing having axially spaced first and second ends, said first
end having at least one opening for receiving fuel to be filtered
and for transferring filtered fuel out of said cartridge;
at least one filter element disposed in said housing, said filter
element intercepting fuel passing through said cartridge such that
particulate matter and water are removed from said fuel and such
that water removed from said fuel coalesces into water droplets
which pass through said filter element; and
a generally conical water separating baffle which has a first
surface disposed between said filter element and said second end,
said baffle defining a central axis and having at least one wall
having a terminal end and extending from said first surface and
around said central axis for at least about 180 degrees, said wall
further having an outer barrier disposed substantially entirely
around the periphery of said baffle, said outer barrier defining at
least one outlet through which water droplets can exit said baffle,
whereby water droplets intercepted by said first surface accumulate
at said wall at a radially inward side of said barrier and guidedly
exit said baffle from said terminal end of said wall via said
outlet.
8. The filter cartridge of claim 7, wherein said first surface is
convex and wherein said wall comprises a rim disposed on said first
surface, said rim spiralling radially outwardly relative to said
central axis.
9. The filter cartridge of claim 7, wherein said baffle includes
means defining at least one elongated vent extending therethrough
along said wall and at least one elongated roof overhanging said
vent.
10. The filter cartridge of claim 7, wherein said baffle further
comprises an outwardly spiraling rim having a terminal end disposed
on said first surface such that said terminal end thereof is
radially aligned with said outlet of said barrier.
11. The filter cartridge of claim 7, wherein said first surface is
a convex surface and wherein said first surface cooperates with
said central axis to define an angle of inclination between about
30 and 85 degrees.
12. The filter cartridge of claim 9, wherein said baffle includes
means defining a plurality of said vents and wherein a plurality of
individual roofs extend from said wall to shelter said vents.
13. A separating baffle for use with a filter cartridge of the type
which employs a filter element to separate water from another fluid
after the mixed water and fluid enter said cartridge, said baffle
comprising:
a body having a generally conical portion with a central region and
an outer periphery and a generally cylindrical wall extending from
said central region of said conical portion, said body being
generally disposed about a central axis, said conical portion of
said body including a convex top surface and defining at least one
elongated vent;
at least one wall extending axially from said top surface of said
conical portion, said wall comprising a spiraling rim having a
terminal end at least near said outer periphery and extending
around said axis for at least about 180 degrees; and
a barrier extending at the outer periphery, said barrier defining
an outlet;
wherein said vent of said conical portion extends along the
radially outward edge of said spiraling rim.
14. The separating baffle of claim 13, wherein said rim spirals
radially outwardly from said central region of said conical portion
toward said outer periphery of said conical portion.
15. The separating baffle of claim 13 comprising at least one
elongated roof portion extending radially outwardly from said rim,
said roof portion being in axial alignment with and in spaced
relation to said elongated vent.
16. The separating baffle of claim 14, wherein said rim traverses
at least approximately 540 degrees along the length thereof, and
wherein said terminal end of said rim is radially aligned with said
outlet.
17. The separating baffle of claim 14, wherein said rim traverses
no more than approximately 720 degrees along the length thereof,
and wherein said terminal end of said rim is radially aligned with
said outlet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to enhancements in devices
for filtering and separating liquids. More particularly, the
present invention relates to fuel filters for removing foreign
particles and separating water from fuel of a fuel supply system
associated with an internal combustion engine. Accordingly, the
general objects of the present invention are to provide novel and
improved methods and apparatus of such character.
2. Description of the Related Art
Diesel fuel supplies frequently contain significant quantities of
abrasive particles and water which present the potential for
permanent damage to the components of the fuel injection pump, the
fuel delivery system and other components of the engine.
Consequently, an effective fuel filter assembly for removing such
particles and water from the fuel is a practical necessity and is
conventionally incorporated into the fuel supply system of a diesel
engine. A multitude of conventional fuel filter assemblies employ a
disposable filter cartridge which is replaced at pre-established
intervals of filter usage. Such filter cartridges typically perform
the dual function of removing particulate material from the diesel
fuel and separating water from the fuel.
The fuel filter assemblies to which the present invention relates
include a replaceable filter cartridge and a header with a base
which accepts the disposable filter cartridge. The filter cartridge
has a housing which defines an opening at one end thereof to
provide fuel communication between the fuel delivery system and a
filter element disposed within the cartridge housing. A sealing
grommet is disposed at the opening to provide a fluid-tight seal.
The fuel filter cartridges may house a single stage filter or a
dual stage filter and may assume a wide variety of shapes and
configurations.
Conventional headers used with such fuel filter assemblies include
a fuel entry port which is in fluid communication with a central
axial fuel conduit for transporting fuel to be filtered into the
filter cartridge. Additionally, a fuel exit port of the header is
fluidly connected to a coaxial fuel conduit disposed about the
central fuel conduit and cooperating therewith to define a fuel
exit passage therebetween. Thus, fuel to be filtered conventionally
enters the fuel cartridge via the central fuel conduit, is filtered
therein and then exits the filter cartridge via the fuel exit
passage which surrounds the central fuel conduit. Recent
developments have included reversing the operation of the central
fuel conduit and the fuel exit passage.
In such conventional fuel filter assemblies, water separation has
often been achieved by employing a filter element which comprises a
continuous fan-shaped, pleated configuration symmetrically disposed
within the filter cartridge and possessing water coalescing
properties. In such a filter element, fuel is allowed to pass
therethrough, but water is not. Thus, water droplets form at the
outside of the filter element and fall to the bottom of the filter
cartridge. A drain cock is often mounted at the bottom of the
filter cartridge for draining the collected water from the filter.
Other filter cartridges employ a filter sock to perform the
particulate matter removing and water separating functions. In such
sock filters, water is removed from the fuel and coalesces at the
sock filter, but the water is also allowed to pass through the sock
filter in the form of water droplets. Such designs rely on the
force of gravity to pull the water droplets to the bottom of the
filter and away from the fuel stream so that the water does not,
once again, become swept away with the fuel stream. Naturally, such
designs cannot guarantee that the water droplets removed from the
fuel will not reenter the fuel stream thereby defeating the purpose
of water separation in the first place. In fact, this deficiency
may be particularly acute in filter cartridges employing sock
filters because the water is not entirely prevented from passing
through the sock filter, but is merely forced to coalesce and pass
therethrough at a different rate than the fuel.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved fuel filter
cartridges and methods therefor which more effectively separate
water from the fuel stream as the fuel passes through the filter
cartridge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the invention in one embodiment is an improved fuel
filter cartridge for use with a header of a conventional fuel
filter assembly. The cartridge comprises a housing which defines an
opening and a sock filter enclosed within the housing. The improved
filter cartridge further comprises a generally conically shaped
water separating baffle preferably having a downwardly spiralling
wall or rim and an outer barrier or fence at the lower periphery of
the baffle. The improved filter cartridge of the present invention
is preferably used with a header of the type having a base for
mounting the improved filter cartridge to the header, a fuel entry
port, a fuel exit port, a central first conduit for interiorly
defining a first axial fuel passage and a second fuel conduit
surrounding and cooperating with the first conduit to define a
second axial fuel passage therebetween. The present invention
encompasses embodiments in which the central first conduit is
fluidly connected with either the entry port or the exit port of
the header and the second axial fuel passage is fluidly connected
with the other of the entry or exit port of the header. The present
invention can also be easily adapted for use with conventional
headers of other configurations.
In filter cartridges employing the present invention, the conical
water baffle is disposed below and in spaced relation to the sock
filter. Thus, as water droplets coalesce and fall off the bottom
end of the sock filter, they are intercepted by the water baffle
and coalesce on the radially inward side of the downwardly
spiralling rim and the radially inward side of the outer fence or
barrier. As the water droplets spiral outwardly toward the outer
fence, they agglomerate in still larger quantities. The water, thus
separated and routed away from the fuel stream, exits the water
baffle at an outlet port of the outer fence and falls to the bottom
of the filter cartridge under the influence of gravity. Since the
water has a greater opportunity to agglomerate as it traverses the
length of the spiralling rim and since the water exits the water
baffle at the periphery of the filter cartridge, the risk that the
separated water will reenter the fuel stream is greatly diminished.
In a preferred embodiment, the conical water baffle can have one or
more vents disposed along the radially outward edge of the
spiralling rim in order to allow greater effective water depth
within the cartridge. The preferred water baffle can also have a
roof covering each of the vents so that water droplets incident to
the roof are guided away from the vent and do not reenter the fuel
stream through the vents.
The methods and apparatus of the present invention provide
significant advantages over the above-discussed related art. For
example, by using the methods and apparatus of the present
invention, more effective water separation can be achieved.
Naturally, this improvement in water separation yields a
concomitant increase in the purity of the fuel stream exiting the
filter cartridge and thereby provides a fuel stream which is far
less likely to damage downstream components.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an
improved fuel filter cartridge for use with conventional fuel
filter assemblies which water is more effectively separated from
the fuel passing through the filter cartridge.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
improved fuel filter cartridge for use with conventional fuel
filter assemblies which employs a generally conically shaped water
separating baffle to improve the water separating capabilities of
the fuel filter and to thereby improve the purity of the fuel
stream exiting the filter cartridge.
Numerous other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the
following specification, from the claims and from the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described
below with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like
numerals represent like components and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view of a filter cartridge in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention shown in
combination with a header of the related art;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a water baffle for use with a fuel
filter cartridge in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention; and
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the water baffle depicted in
FIG. 2, the section being taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment of the filter cartridge according to the
invention will be described below with joint reference to FIGS.
1-3. The inventive cartridge 12 depicted therein incorporates the
present invention into an embodiment designed for use with a diesel
engine. However, it will also be appreciated that the instant
invention can be incorporated into other styles of known fluid
filters for use in a wide range of environments and for use with a
wide range of other fluids.
The preferred fuel filter cartridge 12 is depicted in combination
with a conventional header 10 in FIG. 1. As shown therein, filter
cartridge 12 employs a water baffle 50 of FIGS. 2 and 3. Filter
cartridge 12 can be mounted to a base 20 of conventional header 10
via a retaining collar or ring 25 to form an improved fuel filter
assembly. Header 10 comprises a body 11 which defines a fuel exit
port 14, a fuel entry port 16, base 20 and a reservoir 18.
Additionally, header 10 includes a first central fuel conduit 22,
which is in fluid communication with reservoir 18 and fuel entry
port 16, and a second fuel conduit 24 which is in fluid
communication with fuel exit port 14. First and second conduits 22
and 24 are symmetric about axis A defined by the water baffle 50
when cartridge 12 is installed on header 10. When header 10 is
operated in the conventional manner, fuel entry port 16 acts as a
fuel entry passage and fuel exit port 14 acts as a fuel exit
passage. Thus, fuel to be filtered by the fuel assembly
conventionally enters header 10 via fuel entry port 16, flows
through reservoir 18 and enters a conventional filter cartridge via
passage through first conduit 22. After conventional filtration
occurs, the filtered fuel enters second conduit 24 and then exits
the fuel assembly via fuel exit port 14.
While filter cartridge 12 of the present invention is used with
conventional header 10, header 10 is preferably operated in a
reverse manner relative to the normal operation thereof. In
particular, when header 10 is used in conjunction with the present
invention, fuel exit port 14 serves as a fuel entry passage and
fuel entry port 16 serves as a fuel exit passage. Consequently,
second conduit 24 acts as a fuel entry conduit and first conduit 22
acts as a fuel exit conduit. The fuel flow path through header 10
and cartridge 12 during filtration thereof is generally designated
by the arrows in FIG. 1. The water flow path through filter
cartridge 12 is generally designated by the droplets in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, filter cartridge 12 includes a housing 21, a
sock filter 30, a flow-reversing insert 40 and a water drain cock
mechanism 35. Housing 21 is generally cylindrical in shape and
includes a first end wall 27 which defines an opening having a
grommet seal 23 disposed thereon for sealingly engaging the
exterior of second conduit 24 when cartridge 12 and header 10 are
engaged with one another. At an opposite end of housing 21, housing
21 defines an opening for receiving drain cock 35 as is known in
the art.
Cartridge 12 also preferably includes insert 40. Inter alia, insert
40 serves to route fuel entering cartridge 12 via second conduit 24
radially outwardly and in an axial direction away from housing end
wall 27.
Sock filter 30 is a conventional filter element disposed about and
fixedly attached to insert 40. The lower and opposite end of sock
filter 30 is secured at a central region of insert 40 using a clamp
or other fastener as known in the art.
With primary reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a fuel filter cartridge 12
in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention includes a generally conical water separating baffle 50.
Baffle 50 includes generally conical body 54 which slopes
downwardly and outwardly at an angle of inclination of .O slashed.
when filter cartridge 12 is in an installed orientation. While the
preferred angle of inclination .O slashed. is about 30.degree., the
angle of inclination .O slashed. also preferably ranges anywhere
from 5.degree. to 60.degree.. As shown, body 54 is symmetric about,
and defines, an axis A. A generally cylindrical wall 52 is
symmetrically disposed about axis A and extends from the upper
portion of body 54. The interior surfaces of wall 52 and body 54
define a fuel exit passage 53 for the flow of fuel therethrough. A
spiralling rim spirals radially outwardly and downwardly along the
upper surface 55 of body 54. Spiralling rim 56 preferably traverses
approximately 540.degree. from start to finish. Alternatively, rim
56 could preferably traverse anywhere from 0.degree. to 720.degree.
from start to finish.
A plurality of elongated vents 60 extend through body 54 along the
radially outward edge of rim 56. Vents 60 are preferably disposed
approximately every 90.degree. traversal along the length of rim
56. A roof 57 preferably extends from the top edge of rim 56 at
each vent 60. Roofs 57, thus, shelter vents 60 from the passage of
fluid in a directly vertical direction. Rim 56 is preferably about
0.10 inches in height, but preferably varies anywhere from 0.02
inches to 0.80 inches largely depending on the angle of inclination
.O slashed. defined by body 54. As best shown in FIG. 2, elongated
vents 60 and elongated roofs 57 both preferably sweep an angle of
approximately 45.degree. along the length of rim 64 and are
preferably disposed approximately every 90.degree..
An outer barrier or fence 58 preferably extends about the perimeter
of body 54 except for a single outlet chute or port 62 which
preferably extends along the length of body 54 for approximately
30.degree.. Outer fence 58 is preferably about 0.20 inches in
height but preferably ranges from 0.02 to 0.80 inches in height
depending, inter alia, on the angle of inclination .O slashed.
defined by body 54. As an alternative, outer fence 58 could define
a plurality of outlet ports 62, the length of such outlet ports
being varied as desired. As best shown in FIG. 2, rim 56 preferably
terminates at or near the center of outlet port 62.
Water separation and collection occurs within cartridge 12 in
several stages. Water separation first occurs as the previously
unfiltered fuel passes through sock filter 30. As noted above, sock
filter 30 has water coalescing properties so that water droplets
accumulate at an exit region of filter 30. When these water
droplets become sufficiently large, they fall from sock filter 30
under the influence of gravity towards upper surface 55 of conical
baffle 50. When these water droplets are intercepted by baffle 50,
they agglomerate along the radially inner edge of spiralling rim
56. Agglomeration is further enhanced as the water droplets move
downwardly and outwardly along rim 56 because forcing the water
droplets to traverse this lengthened path as they fall downwardly
naturally decelerates the water droplets. This deceleration yields
an increased opportunity for the water droplets to agglomerate into
still larger water droplets. Water droplets not incident to surface
55 in a location which is radially inwardly of rim 56 will be
intercepted and collected along the radially inward edge of outer
fence 58. As these water droplets accumulate, they will naturally
tend to exit fence 58 at outlet port 62. Similarly, the water
droplets guided along rim 56 will exit baffle 50 through outlet
port 62. The confluence of these two streams of water offer still
another opportunity for enhanced agglomeration. Since the water
exiting baffle 50 has experienced dramatic deceleration in the
axial direction and since the water exiting baffle 50 preferably
does so at one location at the periphery of baffle 50 and at
housing 21, the tendency for the water droplets to reenter the fuel
stream is greatly reduced. Thus, the water exiting baffle 50 has a
strong tendency to fall downwardly under the influence of gravity
and accumulate at the bottom of housing 21 about drain cock 35.
Water agglomeration at baffle 50 is further improved by the
provision of vents 60 and associated roofs 57. In particular, vents
60 allow the water separated from the fuel to accumulate in greater
depths relative to embodiments of the baffle of the present
invention not employing vents 60. A roof 57 is provided over each
of vents 60 to prevent water droplets incident to roofs 57 from
passing through vents 60 and reentering the fuel stream. In
essence, water droplets which would otherwise pass through vent 60
are deflected by roofs 57 so that they can be collected by baffle
50. While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is presently considered to be the most practical and
preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover
various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within
the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *